POLICE will once again increase patrols at Lakeside shopping centre this Christmas.

For the fourth year running, uniformed officers will be backed by Essex Police’s mounted and motorcycle units.

Police will keep a close eye on the complex’s car parks and dish out crime prevention tips.

Operation Christmas Presence aims to cut crime in the run-up to Christmas, but also to ensure shoppers don’t fall prey to crooks.

Chief Insp Richard Baxter said: “Lakeside is, and always has been, a very safe and welcoming environment for people to shop and enjoy everything else it has to offer.

“Our job is to ensure it stays that way, so we are once again working with their security teams to ensure criminals get the message that they shouldn’t bother coming here, as we will catch them and deal with them robustly.”

Paul Lancaster, Lakeside’s general manager, was pleased the crackdown will continue.

He said: “Combining the Lakeside policing team, our security staff and the additional mounted and motorcycle units from Essex Police, ensures this Christmas should be another happy and safe one.”